CDW included for Alamo car rental in Spain?

What you describe and what you've been told would make me as suspicious as it's making you, and would make me think it's time to try AutoEurope or one of the others.

It's not clear how any of us here would know the answer to your question. And what on earth did they mean by telling you that you'd have to contact "someone in Spain"? Sounds like it might be time to pay a little more for another company--many people here have had good results with AutoEurope.

Yes, I am suspicious too. I've rented from Alamo many times without difficulty. I say "without difficulty" meaning I've never had a reason to use the CDW, so who knows? Per your suggestions, I just reserved a car from Auto Europe, but I find similar problems on their website. There was no option to purchase CDW upfront and no details about CDW options were obvious. Also, I had to charge my credit card upfront, but I have to wait for a reservation confirmation to give me the final price, including one-way drop off charges and CDW details.

There have been several hundred posts, over the last several years, about AutoEurope and from memory I can't recall a complaint. They're a consolidator so you'll actually pick up/drop off with one of the usual companies (hopefully not Alamo!).

Your comment that you've never had to use the CDW before, hopefully that continues. I know someone who has rented cars a couple of hundred times in the US and Canada and never damaged a car or needed to use the CDW here, that's 0 out of 200; but out of maybe 20 car rentals in Europe, this same person has had to use the CDW about 3 times, 3 out of 20 versus 0 out of 200. Driving in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland or southern (not the rest of) France probably significantly increases the chance that a driver will need to use the CDW, sooner or later. While most people are lucky most of the time (in driving), driving in these (above listed) countries involves driving conditions US and Canadian drivers aren't used to.

Here is a comparison of the two rental deals for one week, unlimited mileage:

Alamo:
Approximate total in US dolars: $285.56 (won't be charged until I pick up the car)
CDW Included. Deductible approx $800
Theft Protection Included: Awaiting clarification
Advantages: Lower CDW
Disadvantages: Higher price; slower customer service replies to inquiries; contract details less clear; final transaction will include international transaction fees.

Auto Europe (With Avis):
Already charged in US dolars: $246.86
CDW: $1025
Theft Protection: $1025
Advantage: Lower overall price; quick replies to inquiries; contract details more clear; reservation already paid for in USD without international transaction fees.
Disadvantage: Higher CDW

Conclusion: Most likely will stick with Auto Europe with supplemental insurance from Travelguard.

I am not sure about Spain, but I rented from Avis in Lisbon,Portugal in March 2012 and had a similar experience. A manager in Portugal told me in vague terms by email that it would be possible to get what looked like a very good CDW price from them. When I got there, the Avis desk clerk contacted the same manager and guess what... the price was no longer possible. So, plan to book from a company willing to guarantee your CDW price in solid language in writing, or buy insurance from TravelGuard (which I did on my iPad, on the spot - I had the TravelGuard information and website noted and had bought a SIM card in Lisbon upon arriving - thanks to Rick Steves' recommendation in his guide). It pays to have a 'Plan B'. Enjoy your trip... traveling by car in Europe can get you to fabulous locations.