One thing I don't understand is why the OP didn't wait in DUB for the delayed flight since this was a MR to retain status. And as soon as other options were requested and ET offered BA and AA, OP should have refused as they are in a different alliance and won't get the miles needed. I don't see how OP can blame ET for all of this. Yes, they are at fault but he/she should never have accepted an itinerary that didn't work for him/her. That way as A3*G, OP would have had lounge access on another *A carrier. Now, after the fact, it will be difficult to get credit to a non-ET FF program, especially with people mentioning that dealing with ET is a challenge.