Yes, that's one way to do it. Each market attempts to evaluate my localized history with them only. In Vegas, they won't like what they see -- and therefore if I want to stay in Vegas tonight, I have to pay. My best self-book rate through the calendar is $14, at Harrah's.
The markets where I'm unrated will evaluate my national rating, however that's calculated. But markets vary drastically in difficulty. In Atlantic City tonight on a weeknight, I'm comped at any of the three. But my best Arizona option tonight is $300 at Harrah's Ak-Chin.
Tier status doesn't factor in at all, afaik, on the calendar.
Possibly a host would up-front comp me, but I don't have much experience attempting that at Caesars.
Maybe. I wonder a lot about things like that. For example, I've had hosts (other than Caesars) who would disregard the explicit marketing offers and book me as a host comp without an offer code. Does it matter one way or the other? Heck if I know.