I recently played a game where in the late stages all of the 6 city route bonuses were claimed; however, the 1-point 5 city route bonus was available (rare indeed) as well as some 7-city route bonuses. A player ended the game, and on my last turn I made a 6-city route and discovered that I was awarded the 1-point bonus for the 5-city route.
If this is the rule, is it also a rule that you are always able to do this? For example (this does happen here and there) if I make a 7-city route, but the bonus tile is only 2 points, can I choose the 6-city tile instead if it is 3 points (or even 2 or 1 for late game defensive reasons)? I know that if I make an 8+-city route I get the 7 city bonus.
If this is the rule, is it also a rule that you are always able to do this? For example (this does happen here and there) if I make a 7-city route, but the bonus tile is only 2 points, can I choose the 6-city tile instead if it is 3 points (or even 2 or 1 for late game defensive reasons)? I know that if I make an 8+-city route I get the 7 city bonus.