Have booked a business award for myself and my parents from WAS to NRT-HKG-MEL-SYD-ZQN-AKL.

Going through the various baggage limitation rules for AA, BA, CX and QF, the net limitations from what I got on their various websites are:

2x checked bags, total dimensions not to exceed 106in w/ no 1 piece exceeding 62in (QF), 66 lbs total (CX)

1x carry-on bag, 22x14x9 in (CX/QF), 22 lbs (CX)

0x personal bag (BA)


For my parents on their way back, the best I could do for them keeping them in business clas was AKL-(QF)-BNE-(CX)-HKG-(BA)-LHR-(AA)-JFK-(AA)-BWI.

ONE: Will their checked luggage be subject to the lowest limit of the string of the four airlines back (and so the 66 lbs limit of CX), or the limit of the first airline of that leg?


TWO: The 2x bag limit to a total of 106 inches for QF is positively draconian! I was going to get a 53-inch bag for domestic carry-on within the USA, and the QF checked limit is two of those!?!

Is that why people want to go to Australia in First Class, so they have two checked bags up to 62in each?


THREE: Going we are on BA on both legs transiting through LHR. On the way back my parents are transiting LHR from BA to AA. Will their checked bags be checked through, or will they have to pick them up and carry them through immigration and recheck them immediately to continue on?

Thanks,

Steve

PS--I managed to score a rare AKL-LAX-IAD (direct) business award seat for myself! ^ But there was only one, I have to get back to my job (taking 33 days for that vacation) while my parents are retired, and my Mom has to be accompanied as she has bad knees and other medical issues)