I am looking to have 40k bonus points from a new SWA card (opened in Nov) toward the CP. (I have enough Marriott to make up the rest).

I understand I should not get to my Spend Limit for the bonus points too early so they POST in Rapid Rewards after 31 Dec.

Questions:
1. Am I ok to spend in late DEC and then it will not post into SWA Rapid Rewards until my credit card cut off on 6 Jan? Or will it post to SWA as soon as I hit the spend threshold or "back date" it to when the bonus was earned?

2. About how long after the Cr Card statement cut off do the points show on SWA Rapid Rewards?

3. I think I read that the CP is activated about 3-5 days after the 110,000 points are posted on SWA. Correct?

Thanks. Timing is important as I want CP thru 2018, but hopefully have the CP active by 15 Jan as I have a flight scheduled on the 18th. ( I have already bought my ticket and, as a backup, used points for my companion - which I will cancel if CP is available in time)