I think you must have gotten lucky, as normally the computer credits you with the miles based on your status when you made the flight.

It is correct that the information on the boarding pass will reflect your status on the time of booking. f they however take out your FF number and re-enter it, your new FF status will appear on the boarding pass.

As for long access without the card, I guess you were in luck here, as the lounge attendants normally ask to see the card as well!