IME (I've done two mileage redemption awards this year) the redemption bonus miles will be credited back after the flight has been taken, but with a backdate of when you booked the award reservation.
I booked an AAward for an employee in early July, for a August 22-25 trip. My redemption bonus showed up in last weeks' sweep, with a post date of July 7 which was the day I ticketed the flight.