We're traveling from EWR to ACK, switching airlines at LAX. We're going Business First on United to LAX using miles, switching to Air New Zealand at LAX for the last leg of the trip, flying coach. We purchased the Air NZ tickets from a travel agent, so both legs were booked separately.

Since United and Air NZ are part of the Star Alliance, will I be able to check my luggage in EWR with United all the way thru to Auckland? My concern is getting to LAX and having to exit security to retrieve my luggage then carting it from Terminal 7 all the way over to the Bradley International Terminal and going back thru security once again.

It's been years since I've traveled thru LAX and wondering what are my options.