I think this is the source of the confusion. The credits are available, but won't be issued until mileage award flights are flown?
I guess it all depends on how you look at it. I see them issuing you the credits, since they are available to you to use. The just don't post to your activity until you meet the use/fly criteria.
Just like how a hotel FNC is issued to you, but its useless until you book a hotel stay. These rebates are useless until you actually book and take the flight, but I see them as having already being issued.