I don't think I've cycled a tank from scratch in at least 10 years. I always have a couple of Poret sponge filters in the sump of my bigger indoor tank just for this purpose, so an extra emergency tank or quarantine tank or whatever tank can be set up instantly without worrying about cycling. Depending upon the size of the new tank and the sponge filter, as well as the stocking level (usually pretty low), I will refrain from feeding for the first couple days, both in the new tank and also in the "donor" tank where the sponge originated.
If one were to upgrade to a newer or larger tank, it works the same way. Remove the existing filter, catch out the fish and place into a bucket, drain and discard all that old water, remove the old tank, install the new one, fill it with fresh new water (dechlorinated if necessary, and of appropriate temperature/pH), install the old filter, introduce the fish...done. No need to save any of the old water, and no benefit to doing so in most cases. It's no different that simply doing a 100% water change in your old tank.
In either case, don't clean the old filter, just drop it right into place and you're done.
I've never bothered with bottled bacteria, and never felt I was missing anything.
A cycled sponge filter is a priceless commodity to me; it takes time to produce one, and once you have invested that time, you simply nurture and care for it and in turn it gives you more freedom to enjoy your fish without fretting about cycling.