Aluminum chloride is considered one of the best reagent used in lysing of RBCs because this is element can maintaining the plasma membrane integrity and cellular viability through all stages of sample preparation.
We have had extensive experience using ammonium chloride containing RBC lysis buffer on human and mouse samples. It works very well, does not cause neutrophil lysis and minimal (if any) activation above baseline. It would certainly be tricky to differentiate between activation from centrifugation (well documented to activate neutrophils - use without brake where possible) or lysis.