This has emanated from a thread over at AFF, where I posed the question about just how smart the QF points calculator really is.

After significant discussion and chatter, I decided to look at solving the problem and developing a reliable QF points calculator in the form of an Excel Spreadsheet. It's now up to version 0.3, and I'd like to open it up to the FT community for their input and feedback.

Its quite reliable now, and I've run a number of complex routing scenarios against it to see how solid the math is. The math is mainly reliant on the number of miles travelled, and when calculated using information from Great Circle Mapper, it is hitting an average variance of anywhere between 3-25 points against QF's result. SC earning levels have been perfect with tests to date.

Features

Currently the spreadsheet will:

• Allow you to enter/select the airline, departure and arrival airport, cabin class and number of miles flown. If number of miles is unknown, a single click will pass information on that sector thru to Great Circle Mapper to get the estimated mileage.
• Ensure you've entered in the valid arrival and departure airport codes
• Calculate miles based on the earning ratio you specify (this is soon to be automated to pre-fill with earning ratio for airline and cabin class specified)
• If flying a carrier in a cabin class where SC's aren't earned, a zero value for all fields after earning ratio while still ensuring rest of spreadsheet calculations remain valid.
• Work out if a minimum points guarantee is acceptable to the carrier, and apply accordingly based on the airline and cabin class.
• Calculate if status credits, cabin bonuses and status bonuses are earned and apply accordingly.
• Provide a running total of miles and SC's earned.
• With sector cost information entered, provide some decision-making information in terms of $/sc and $/point to determine value proposition.

Download
You can read its development history back in the AFF thread, or access/download the spreadsheet which includes the full version control history of improvements and fixes.

Things to do

This is still a work in progress, so here's what's still to be done in no specific order:

• Instructions - because while some may think its easy, best to ensure everyone knows how to use it (some of these have been added in notes
• Look at automating mileage calculation
• Automate points earning based on carrier and class travel selection (in progress)
• Deal with status resets/review dates during trips

I'm still working automating the mileage multipliers and carrier class selections to make the spreadsheet almost brainless. The formulas for the lookups are doing my head in, and thanks to El Al this is a little more complex than expected.

Some of the El Al fare buckets have different status multipliers for them. Most of the spreadsheet will handle this, just need to deal with the lookups to make this happen. I don't think too many potential users are El Al flyers so its not going to stop you from using the worksheet.

Let me know what you think and how useful you find the sheet.

Props to Serfty, medhed, drewbles, anat0l, jas, docjames, and yo yo mama who've provided assistance, information and encouragement to date.