A bit of a late response to your post, but I agree with your consensus. Promos were zilch this year under iDine (cash back program), and a lot of restaurants, atleast in the Bay Area, that used to be on it, are now off. I may switch back to the UA miles program because I don't like how the cash back program reverts back to 5% after the anniversary date. Approx $210 in iDine cards received total from Jan 2013 to Dec 2013.

If this is the new normal in the program, I'll probably just use it for miles when I happen to visit a restaurant that's on it.