This is the same for me. Last year when I flew Shandong but with CA codeshare flight number I got no credit on UA, this year I have. And if I check in at the CA counter I always get a lounge invitation in Qingdao. You just have to find the one counter for CA that handles FC and GC holders. It has a red carpet in front of it but a confusing sign above like Qingdao Airport Services. You also can use the priority screening which in Qingdao saves a lot of time.