Travel plans are hardly similar for every passenger. In case you require special meals, favorable seats, wheelchair help, or hotel room arrangements, understanding the process of how to add special requests to your Expedia booking is crucial for having memorable travel experiences.
This guide consists of everything, from what special requests are and ways to add them, to fees, confirmation, rules of the provider to timing, help, multi-leg bookings, and specialist tips to make sure the traveler’s trip goes as planned.
What requests you can add: seat preferences, special meals, wheelchair assistance, medical support, hotel room preferences, child seats, accessibility features
When to add them: during booking, immediately after, or even closer to travel (with provider confirmation)
Are they guaranteed? No — requests are subject to availability and provider approval
Pro tip: Reconfirm requests 24–48 hours before travel for peace of mind
Special requests are additional preferences or assistance needs submitted by travelers. Expedia forwards these to the airline, hotel, or car rental provider, but approval depends on the provider.
Key points travelers must know:
Expedia does not guarantee requests — it only forwards them.
Confirmation timing varies — many providers respond within 24–72 hours, but some only confirm closer to departure or check-in.
Be sure to verify the provider’s rules — different airlines, hotels and car rental companies have different policies.
Seat preferences: aisle, window, extra legroom, exit row
Meal preferences: vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal, diabetic, gluten-free
Wheelchair or mobility assistance
Assistance for elderly travelers or unaccompanied minors
Oxygen or medical equipment requests
Bassinet requests for infants
Visual or hearing assistance
Pro tip: Some airlines require medical forms or documentation for certain accessibility requests. Submit early to ensure approval.
Early check-in or late check-out
Bed type preferences
Quiet rooms or rooms away from elevators
Higher-floor or scenic-view rooms
Connecting or adjacent rooms
Accessible rooms for mobility needs
Special occasion notes: honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday
Note: Hotels may confirm requests on arrival day, and some may charge fees for add-ons like early check-in.
Child safety seats
GPS navigation systems
Hand-control or accessibility-equipped vehicles
Snow chains or seasonal equipment
Additional driver arrangements
Tip: Availability depends on location and vehicle inventory. Confirm at the pickup location if needed.
Select your flight, hotel, or car rental on Expedia
Go to the checkout page
Locate “Special Requests” or “Preferences”
Select options or enter your request manually
Complete your booking
Pro tip: Adding requests at the time of booking will allow more time for providers to confirm, resulting in a better chance of approval.
Log in to your Expedia account
Go to “My Trips”
Select your reservation
Click “Manage Booking” or “Special Requests”
Add or update your request and save
Note: Some airlines might also limit changes near departure. And as always, when it comes to last-minute requests, follow up directly with the provider.
Yes, many requests can be added using the Expedia mobile app, including:
Hotel room preferences
Basic flight assistance requests
Viewing previously submitted requests
However:
Airline-specific requests may require visiting the airline’s website
Medical or accessibility requests often need direct provider confirmation
For complex requests, using the desktop site is usually more reliable.
Expedia forwards the request to the provider
Most requests take up to 24-72 hours for confirmation
Extra documents may be required for making some requests, such as medical or accessibility
Always reconfirm 24-48 hours prior to travel
A traveler books a domestic flight on Expedia and asks for wheelchair assistance. The request is passed by Expedia and service confirmed by the airline at the departure and arrival airports.
Tip: For last minute requests (e.g., 1 hour before departure) call the airline directly after submitting via Expedia.
A passenger orders a gluten-free meal on an international flight. The airline confirms the booking when it is closer to departure and then the traveler reconfirms 48 hours before flight time.
Tip: You need to make these requests separately for each segment for multi-leg or return flights.
Add requests during booking or immediately after confirmation
Flight meals or accessibility requests: 48–72 hours in advance
Hotel requests: several days before check-in
Multi-leg or return trips: add requests for each segment separately
Most requests are not guaranteed, even if confirmed in your Expedia account
Approval depends on:
Availability
Provider policies
Fare rules or ticket type
Always verify with the provider to avoid surprises
Check your booking under My Trips
Contact Expedia to confirm submission
Reach out directly to the airline, hotel, or rental company
Reconfirm at airport check-in or hotel front desk
Accessibility requests are generally free
Seat upgrades, extra legroom, and hotel add-ons may involve fees
Some add-ons may affect ticket or booking refundability
Always review provider terms before confirming requests
Assuming requests are guaranteed
Waiting until the last minute
Not checking provider-specific policies
Forgetting to reconfirm for multi-leg trips
Book and submit requests early
Be clear and specific
Reconfirm requests 24–48 hours before travel
Keep a screenshot or email confirmation
Use loyalty programs if applicable
Meal options may vary by airline or route
Accessibility standards differ by country
Additional documentation may be required
Always reconfirm international requests
Q1 Can I add special requests after booking on Expedia?
Ans. Yes, most requests can be added through “My Trips,” but always confirm with the provider.
Q2 Are special requests free on Expedia?
Ans. Some are free; others (seat upgrades, hotel add-ons) may involve fees.
Q3 How do I know if my request is confirmed?
Ans. Check your booking, confirmation emails, and reconfirm with the airline or hotel.
Q4 Can Expedia guarantee special requests?
Ans. No. Expedia forwards requests, but providers make the final decision.
Q5 What happens if my request is denied?
Ans. You can request alternatives or reconfirm at check-in.
Q6 Can I add medical or accessibility requests through Expedia?
Ans. Yes, but submit early and confirm directly with the provider.
Q7 How far in advance should I submit a special request?
Ans. For flights, submit at least 48–72 hours before departure; for hotels, several days before check-in.
Q8 Do special requests apply to return or connecting flights automatically?
Ans. No. Requests must be added for each leg separately.
📞 Need Help Adding Special Requests to Your Expedia Booking?
Our travel specialists can assist you with:
Adding or modifying requests
Coordinating with airlines, hotels, and car rental companies
Managing accessibility and complex travel needs
Contact our travel experts today at +1-866-438-9027(USA) for personalized assistance and stress-free travel planning.
If done early, clearly, and properly, then adding special requests to an Expedia booking becomes simple. Therefore, travelers can enhance their approval chances and savor their travel experience by having proper knowledge of multi-leg bookings, fees, confirmation timing, accessibility requirements, provider rules, and best practices to follow.