Merge removed rakeback network wide. No longer allowed. Everyone can have VIP programs though. Carbon's VIP program maxes at 35%. It takes 2k in rake to achieve this on a monthly basis (20k VIP points). You can exchange your points for cash or spend them on MTT tickets. Cash being the superior return if you are in higher VIP tiers.
Insofar as the MTT schedule going to ****, I disagree. It's the best MTT schedule in the US market, with Bovada and
intertops close behind. WPN having the weakest schedule, but still having quite a bit of value.
Also, Merge just raised the MTT guarantees on something like 200 MTTS, M-Th, and Sundays. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post links to 2+2, but there are 2 threads there detailing this. One in Internet
poker forum, and one in the Sponsored Carbon Poker Forum.