Need A Little Spark

When looking for hotel accommodations, do you need a little Spark? As a frequent traveler and Hilton Honors Diamond Member (HGV MAX owner), I’ve stayed at almost every Hilton brand—Canopy, DoubleTree, Embassy Suites, Tempo, and more. Since the timeshare properties in Scottsdale were full, I booked the Spark in Glendale.

Southwest Airlines Promotional Companion Pass

My promotional companion pass was set to expire on October 8. This trip came just in time to book one last flight with my sister as a companion. We split the round-trip airfare ($220). If you have not read my post about the companion pass hack, you are missing out on a great way to travel on a budget. Bottom line, Southwest has increased the frequency of this promotion. You can change your companion up to three times. By the way, there is always a late flight to Phoenix on Friday. I never miss work and head to the airport at the end of day.

Club MDW

Check your travel credit card benefits. I use Priority Pass to access the airport lounge at MDW. I need to warn you. The lounge is crowded on Fridays. Wait times can range from 15 to 45 minutes, but I had enough time to enjoy one cocktail and a small plate of food.

Need a Little Spark

Even though Spark is promoted as budget-friendly, the rates for this early October weekend were surprisingly high. I redeemed 75,000 Hilton Honors points plus a $100 cash payment for this two-night stay. The reviews for this location were mixed, but convenience was key for me. Thanks to detailed TripAdvisor reviews, I avoided reserving the room on the 1^st floor (102) and instead booked Room 323, as it was located away from Bell Road, a high-traffic area.

The Spark Glendale, Arizona

The amenities at the Spark were exactly what I needed for a quick trip. The complimentary bagel bar offered fresh bagels, boiled eggs, cereal, and oatmeal. There are plenty of restaurants nearby if you need more than a quick start. I appreciated the dedicated Diamond Member Parking, *small outdoor pool, laundry facilities ($2 per machine), and comfortable lobby seating.

Things to do

The location is great for errands and quick shopping trips. I walked to Kohl’s and scored a Vera Wang denim skirt and three pairs of leggings on clearance for $52. With a borrowed car (or the Bell Road bus), T.J. Maxx and Ulta are just two miles away. We also grabbed dinner at Panera Bread, where I used my SIP Club membership—you know I love saving money. If you are in town around football season, the Spark is conveniently located only 19 minutes away from State Farm Stadium. On the way to the airport, we drove through downtown Phoenix. I was sad to see The Counter, my favorite turkey burger spot, had closed its downtown location.

Centurion or Escape Lounge

If you are heading to PHX, your lounge options are great. Since Kim did not have her American Express card with her, we checked into the Escape Lounge. Remember, you need to spend $75,000 per year to bring a guest into the Centurion Lounge, or the cost is $50. There was also a waitlist. By the way, Centurion and Escape are across from each other in Concourse B. The food at the Escape Lounge was delicious. We enjoyed a salad, steamed vegetables, sweet and sour cauliflower, tacos, dessert, and cocktails.

Need a Little Spark in Your Budget

The Spark met my needs for location, provided a few frills, and offered a clean stay; the staff was professional. My sister was happy with the accommodations. Rideshare was expensive, even with my $15 Uber credit from American Express. Because the flight was so late, I told D not to pick us up from the airport. Although I enjoy a good hot breakfast, access to the hotel lounge, $15 Food & Beverage Credit, and free DoubleTree cookies, the proximity to my son’s house was the overall determining factor.

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