Hi kaputch1980. Welcome & good luck with Upromise.
As far as I know, the only place you need to register your credit/debit cards is in your account profile, where they will be validated by Upromise. You do have to register for the dining program by clicking on the designated link, but I think they automatically go off of the cards already registered to your account. If you didn't previously register your credit/debit cards, then they might prompt you to do so when you sign up for the dining program. Either way, the information becomes a part of your account profile.
When you dine out at a participating restaurant, you have to use a registered credit or debit card to receive the Upromise contribution. If you use a debit card, I think you have to ask the restaurant to enter it as a credit card transaction in order for it to count.
Speaking of the dining program, be sure to click on the link to register for the dining double bonus savings event that's going on now through 11/30/09. I'm told that the double bonus applies to dining in, take out orders, & even gift certificates at participating restaurants during the promotion.
Another savings tip: activate the eCoupons at the first of each month. They change the coupons every month, but you have to select & activate them in order to receive the credit when you shop. Also, make sure you use your registered grocery or drugstore card when you checkout to get your contributions from eCoupons & other participating products that you buy. (In case you're wondering, yes, you can use manufacturer coupons in conjunction with eCoupons.)
You also might want to consider getting the new Upromise credit card. The people who are using the Upromise credit card seem to be the ones who are racking up the most savings. There's a nice sign-up bonus, too.
These are just a few ideas to get you started. I hope I've been able to help. 
