I booked the whole thing with AA in May, but was given two tickets -- the separate one is for the HNL-OGG flight.

Sorry to be picky, but if you "booked the whole thing" with AA, did you actually receive two separate e-ticket numbers? (The ticket number will look something like 001-XXXXXXXXX for American-issued tickets, and 173-XXXXXXXXX for Hawaiian-issued tickets.)

What about record locator codes (aka "PNR locator)? Do you have two different record locators? (These will be six-letter codes like ABCDEF.)

As far as I know Hawaiian hasn't said anything specifically about interlining (or not) AA bags, but HA has definitely taken an aggressive (and very controversial) position on this, emphasizing their virtual monopoly in inter-island flights.

But if you bought "the whole thing" at AA in one transaction, I have to think your bags will go through. But clarifying the PNR locator and ticket number issue will help sort it out.

Wouldn't you have to go thru security again anyway at HNL? I'm thinking the HA flights leave from a different terminal. I've never tried to walk down there from a UA arrival, so not sure if you can do that. It's quite a hike when trying to make a connection, I do know that. I've walked from Avis down to the HA terminal, and I had no idea it was such a long distance. (Avis is in the parking area right in front of UA arrival/bag area).

Gardyloo -- Yup. Two differen ticket numbers and two different locator numbers. I've asked AA to combine them on one ticket, but they will not. (It's not like you can TALK to anyone official at any airline to protest or ask for accommodation.)

simpson510 -- We have flown this route for many years, never leaving security at HNL, having our baggage through-routed with no problems...until now. It's a 15-minute walk from AA arival gate to the HA departure gate, all on one level.

ChiSue: "I am FUMING -- in part because neither AA nor HA will officially confirm a scenario."

It's not the airlines who deserve your ire. DOT created the problem. And it's a real game-changer for travelers on some airlines.

This is not news. It has been coming since the DOT mandated new baggage rules effective July 24, 2012. Airlines have been struggling with formulating and implementing new policies regarding interline baggage transfers since then.

You purchased your tickets before the rule change went into effect. AA surely knew it was coming, hence your separate tickets for the Hawaiian Air segments.

More about this policy and its effects in an earlier thread: http://www.fodors.com/community/air-travel/new-baggage-policy-interline-through-baggage-check-discontinued.cfm

Yikes - now I'm wondering if we need a Plan B! Due to my own stupidity (I had a brain freeze as I usually don't do it this way) in May I booked 2 separate tickets - PHX - LAX on Delta and LAX - PPT on Air France. The outbound flight is fine - we have plenty of time to get our bags and recheck through AF. Coming back now I'm concerned. We're scheduled to land in LAX at 7:00 p.m. and the flight to PHX now leaves at 8:45 p.m. I'm worried that with customs, etc. we won't make the 45 min minimum check in with bags. In looking - this is the latest flight Delta has out of LAX to PHX. So even opting to change the ticket wouldn't work as there are no later flights. United however does have a later flight which for the two of us would run about $170 total. So - what do you think - should I simply do a no show on the Delta flight coming back and take the United?

Or cancel the return leg and book the United?

If it's only $170 total for the two of you, can you just go ahead and book the United flight and have it in place as a backup in case you miss the Delta flight?

julia1 -- Ah, but only the outbound hop from HNL to OGG is on a separate ticket. The OGG-HNL hop on our return is part of the AA ticket. (They 'didn't know' anything.)

I'm upset because AA still tells me they will through-check our bags from ORD to OGG, while HA has waffled back and forth.

I will be amazed if TSA has their act together in advance of these policy changes. Can you picture the scene at HNL in the early days of January (when we are outbound)? Although some people fly to outer islands direct from west coast airports, many of us who come from father inland connect through HNL. HA is the primary carrier for these connecting flights. (GO