Checking Bags on OW Two Tickets through NRT
 

Hi, i'm flying NRT -> JFK roundtrip on AA.

But I'm actually connecting from a flight from HKG on a separate tiicket. It's not booked yet, but anyone know if I book JAL or Cathay if they'll check the bags through the whole way since it's all oneworld? More concerned on the return from JFK than the outbound since I may come a night earlier in Tokyo.

I assume if i fly ANA or Delta they definitely won't and I'll have to recheck my bags.

As long as the two airlines have an interline agreement you can check luggage thru between any airlines. And all the major airlines have such an agreement.
So it should work between any of the airlines you mentioned.

Just be aware that the second airline does not have to transport you when you don't show up in time for their flight. Leave enough padding if you are not on a flexible ticket.

In theory this is true. But not all oneworld carriers are willing to do this when your separate ticket is on a non-Oneworld carrier or partner flight. For example, BA will not interline bags to a non-Oneworld carrier on a separate ticket. See BA separate tickets policy. I have not found a published JAL policy on interlining on separate tickets.

From previous discussions I think you are safe attempting to interline from a OW airline to another OW airline on separate tickets.

I have never had a problem checking in in HKG on a CX ticket connecting in SIN to a separate QF ticket. I do tend to allow a bit of extra time and have occasionally let QF know that there is a connection involved. Sometimes they pick it up as a connection on the QF reservation - sometimes not. Haven't had the need to check this sort of thing recently.

YMMV

Happy wandering

Thanks for the tips. I'll try to stick w ow if I can. I figure Cathay would be nice about the bags since they have good customer service. But of course them and Jal tend to have the most expensive tix to tokyo too.