It looks like Alaska will status match EVERY US-based airline EXCEPT for American Airlines. I don't know if this is a new thing where Alaska / AA are not matching each other. I presume this is an agreement to not poach each other's elites.

My partner is AA executive platinum and would like to switch to Alaska. The routes and new program make Alaska the much better program. I am debating what is the best strategy. It would suck to need to get Alaska status starting from zero. But debating if maybe it makes sense to status match to a third airline to later match to Alaska. I know status match actually requires matching a status earned organically and not through an offer / match.