**xpost in covid forum, hope that is ok**

Have tons of Asiamiles and want to use them before CX goes belly up--however, absolutely nothing out of HKG with OW.

I guess I have two noob questions for the experts here.

1. Can I book a cash ticket (specifically 2am Fridays flight on JAL) and then start my multi-carrier award travel. and/or
2. Is it possible to book a ticket on another airline (ANA, for example) and then start my multi carrier award in NRT (there is PLENTY of availability for my trip, basically, nrt-US-Europe-back to asia)

For both of the above scenarios, the problem is checked baggage. Can either of the above allow me to transfer/collect and check in my luggage, without 'entering' the country, because of covid. Is it 'more possible' in SIN, or BKK, or ICN?

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.