I bought one flight with points, and separately bought another flight the same day from the airport at the first stop. The two companies have a baggage agreement, but I called them both and they gave me different answers to the question of how I get my luggage on plane A to plane B. One told me since ticketed separately i will have to leave the airport, get my luggage, then check in again. Another told me the person at the ticket counter should be able to make sure they can transfer the bag for me since the two airlines have a baggage agreement. So I don't know really know what to think. What is your experience with this, should they be able to do it or not, and if they can, what do I need to do/ask to make sure it gets done?

which airlines as airline policies vary greatly

AA to Air France

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"One told me since ticketed separately i will have to leave the airport, get my luggage, then check in again."

Leave the airport?

I would not expect AA to through-check your baggage to AF on separate tickets. You will have to claim your bags at your intermediate point and then check them in with AF. You won't have to leave the airport, as that's where your bags will be delivered, and that's where AF's check-in desk will be. You will have to go land-side, and might even have to change terminals, however.

As of October 1, 2014, American Airlines will only check through baggage for customers traveling on separate tickets if the separate ticket is on:

American Airlines and American Eagle
A oneworld partner airline

Doesn't hurt to ask though. It's certainly technically possible.

Worth asking though. I've managed it on other airlines on separate tickets (silk air to emirates) by asking at the check in desk.

The fact that two airlines have an interline agreement in place means they can check luggage through, not that they will.

It is down to the first carriers policy as to whether they will, which in the case of AA would be a no in your case.

First of all, it's not a connection, it's two different flights. What airport is this and what is the time between arrival and departure? You are aware that if you don't make your second flight, all subsequent flights on that ticket are likely to be voided, including your outbound, right?

OP - AF has nothing to do with this, except to the extent that it has an interline agreement with AA (which it does).

AA will not interline bags across tickets to AF. AA will check the bags to the final destination on your AA ticket, at which point you will retrieve them, lug them to the AF check-in (not sure what "leave the airport" is about) and check them in with AF on the new ticket.

Bear in mind that you are not connecting. You are simply transferring wherever this is.

It is possible that you might hit an agent who does check the bags for you, but do not plan on it.

As others note, make certain that you allow plenty of time for delays. If you no show for your AF flight, AF can be particularly strict about cancelling tickets and requiring you to purchase new tickets.