Is it true that AA does not honor flight with DI?
For the latest info I would highly recommend that you check AA website under "programs & services" and from there go to "alliances".
BTW, it is also worth mentioning that you can very quickly gain status on AA via challenges. Gold Challenge gives you Gold status for flying 5,000 Q-points and Platinum Challenge gives you Platinum for flying 10,000 Q-points in 3 months time.