Customs & baggage to final destination when flying PER-SYD-HNL-OGG using award points

[jm1]

I'm planning a trip to Hawaii in June next year, and am looking at using my AAdvantage miles. I've never booked an award flight with AA before so have some questions.

I can find plenty of availability PER-SYD(or BNE)-HNL with Qantas & Hawaiian Airlines. I had originally planned on spending a few days in HNL before moving on to OGG or LIH as a cash ticket.

I'm now looking to instead transit through HNL, arriving at OGG or LIH instead.

This seems perfectly bookable online, except the award gets split into Flight 1 (PER-SYD-HNL) and Flight 2 (HNL-OGG). Depending on availability, SYD could be substituted with BNE; and OGG with LIH. I assume I'd have to go through US customs at HNL.

1. Would I need to get our checked baggage and check in for the second flight to OGG at HNL?
2. Assuming I would need to get checked baggage, check in again etc, what layover time would you leave between flights?
3. If there is some sort of delay outside of our control (inbound flight to HNL delayed), would AA push us to another outbound flight to OGG at no extra cost, or is that just my loss?

Thanks
Josh

 

[bam71]

Re: Customs & baggage to final destination when flying PER-SYD-HNL-OGG using award po

1. Would I need to get our checked baggage and check in for the second flight to OGG at HNL? - YES
2. Assuming I would need to get checked baggage, check in again etc, what layover time would you leave between flights? - IMO I'D HAVE AT LEAST 3 HRS
3. If there is some sort of delay outside of our control (inbound flight to HNL delayed), would AA push us to another outbound flight to OGG at no extra cost, or is that just my loss? IF ITS ALL ON THE ONE AWARD TICKET YOU SHOULD BE LOOKED AFTER - BUT I'D BE PREPARED FOR A LOSS OF THE HNL OGG TICKET AND STAND READY TO PAY FOR ANOTHER ONE.