I selected southwest over chat nearly 7 hours ago. in the same session i also activated the saks fifth ave credit as well but only received an email about saks credit being activated. Should i be ok to to buy my gift cards now since the whole selection process was recorded on chat? If i just wait another day will that be enough time for the purchase to post and still get my 2018 credit?

Follow the link in the Wikipost at the top of this thread to select an airline. If the selection has already been recorded, it will not allow you to repeat the process.

I just got one of the AMEX cards with the airline credit. Super last minute but I was approved. The link in the sticky doesn't seem to work. I either get a blank screen or a message that the system is down. I had to talk to customer service to select it for me. I've gotten the email confirmation that Southwest has been selected as my preferred airline.

How long should I will wait to purchase the gift cards?

I know I'm running a risk by doing it so late in the year with only two days left. The customer service rep said I just need to do it by 12/31 to get the credit. Does anyone have any experience to state otherwise? Or am I just SOL at this point?

Another data point pending to see how close to wire you can run this ;)
Selected airline: 12/29
Bought 4x$50 gc: 12/30
Charge posted as one $200: 12/31
Amex reimbursement posted: 1/2

Anyone have a step by step guide for how to buy the Southwest Gifcard with the Platinum? Selected SW then bought a giftcard shortly after, was never reimbursed. Need to know what link to use, should I be logged into my SW account? Should I buy from the app? Logged into the AMEX account, no logg in? Any info helps. Thanks.

The link it is in the Wikipost at the top of this thread.

Logging in to your American Express account is irrelevant.

Logging in to your Rapid Rewards account cannot affect reimbursement from American Express.

Have you verified that American Express shows Southwest as your chosen airline for this specific card account -and- the amount of unused benefit?

southwest, easy $250 and $100. Credit posted after 3-4 days.

I did 1 $100 on my amex gold that got credit. I asked the CSR rep to change to WN from AS. I did another $100 GC on my AMEX plat on 12/27 and a separate $100 on 12/31. Will see if they reimburse the Plat charges.

My $195 charge has posted and credited. The original $200 attempt with the error is still pending and I guess will fall off any day now.

Dec 21: 2 x $100 Southwest GC
Dec 24: 2 x $100 Amex Credit Reimbursement posted

I feel like this is a dumb question but if I already selected WN last year, do you have to enroll again before purchasing?

No, it will still be set to WN. You can look at the web site to get all your info, what airline is chosen and how much is left on the credit.

AMEX Gold>Southwest $100 GC credit SUCCESS!
 

12/28 Received AMEX Gold card
12/29 Purchased $100 Southwest GC via Southwest website on laptop (NOT mobile device)
12/30 GC posted
1/2 Airline fee reimbursed

This year's counter still intact?