Free Shipping Promo Code - Very Poor Usability!

We're running 4.3.3 and we have a free shipping promo code @ $149+. In previous versions to get your free shipping all you had to do is enter the code on the cart page and there were no issues. Now you first have to "Calculate" shipping before entering the free shipping code or you get the following error message "WarningThe entered code cannot be applied, because it does not meet the requirements." Obviously customers don't know what to do to fix this and we can't change this general error code as it's used for various promo code errors not just free shipping. Does anyone know how to fix this issue or have any suggestions?

Sounds like a bug to me !

But why dont you just apply it as a cart promotion so they dont need to enter a code instead.

That way as soon as they hit 149 the promotion is applied?

http://screencast.com/t/YWtPTJMSzOd

http://screencast.com/t/qjg4OqTC4yep

Sounds like a bug to me !

But why dont you just apply it as a cart promotion so they dont need to enter a code instead.

That way as soon as they hit 149 the promotion is applied?

http://screencast.com/t/YWtPTJMSzOd

http://screencast.com/t/qjg4OqTC4yep

We've thought about this, but we offer several promo code options, and our customers often choose the other promo options instead of free shipping. Also our free shipping is only for UPS Ground and does not apply to UPS Priority shipping methods such as 2nd Day or Next Day so this would create more issues for customers wanting Priority shipping.