Sorry I just dont get these questions

Ive used many a cert from all the different programs when I had a stay I needed, and it didnt matter what the cat was. So yes I would use a 1-4 at a cat2 if that cat 2 is expensive for the night I needed it and didnt have any plans where I knew I could use it

So a cat 4 in Hawaii is $1200 for the night, Im not about to pay or use miles to get there just to max out the value . It woiuld be something else if I was gonna be there anyways

Personally I used an IHG all cat cert at an IC that was 40K last week since I didnt have any other plans before it would exp and it was good for any cat the rate was < $150 and I was Ok with it, I used to use it at the ICHK which is 70K or a boat load of $$, but except for connecting flights I wont be in HKG till it settles down

So just use it wherever you would have normally paid for the night w/o having to pay for any extra cost to get to the hotel, is my advice