Hello,
I had enough bonus points saved up to join GDI but was unable to. am I missing a step? It was the bonus points to join for free. Also is there a way to join NOT for free?

If you have not made any attacks or offensive ops, from main page at very bottom under news is GDI link from there you can join/leave, once GDI you can use bonus points for free permanent GDI for the set.

Yeah, you have to join before you use the bonus.

I made that mistake the first time i tried to use the points also

you should never use your points for that regardless

Why not? Free money every turn

Are you saying that once I've made an attack I can never join GDI for that set? I don't see any place to click on GDI in relation to where it says "news"

You have to join before you do any attacks.

Well not sure about this server 100% might be 72 hour window like team/alliance/ffa

And the link is at bottom of main page in the middle where your news shows up.