As David8 said, whether touring or not, providers who know what they are doing will generally err on the safe side and ask for some form of verification. There are ladies who will work with you on verification without references but don't be surprised if you get turned down as a rule rather than the exception.

At the very least get VIP membership first and do some more research. Just because the basic stuff seems promising doesn't mean that you and the provider will hit it off and the extra info VIP membership gives you helps assure you that it will be a good experience and not a waste of time.

I would also recommend a verification service to help you get started. Yes, they cost money but compared to the cost of this hobby - especially if you have a bad date - it's a relatively small price to pay.

Personally, I prefer to stick with locals for a very practical reason - if it's a great experience then I'll probably want to come back for more

Touring ladies will generally set there rates depending on the city they are visiting.  Everyone should know NYC, LA, Las Vegas, and other large cities have a much higher cost of living; meaning hotel rooms, meals, etc. will cost more.

Without VIP you can't intelligently evaluate reviews.  Get it now before you have a $300 or more disappointment.

as a newb, you would, IMHO, be better off seeing some local, well-reviewed ladies first.  Cost would probably be less,first of all. The locals will more than likely be easier to research and verify services.  Just make sure they have more than a few reviews by several established reviewers.  If there is only one or two reviews by guys with only one or two reviews, that increases the chances that those reviews are fake.

Second, GET THE DAMN VIP MEMBERSHIP!!!!!!  If the $20 is a problem, then you probably can't afford to hobby anyway.

Since you have no refs, join one of the verification services.  It's only $125 for lifetime membership to Date Check.  Since I don't know what area you are in, ask some local guys and gals what the preferred site is around you.  I have both DC and P411.

Bottom line, I would not recommend seeing a touring provider for your first experience, unless you are just totally madly infatuated with her.  But she still needs to be researched thoroughly.

Good luck,
Swim

PM me if you want any more info.

She was was reviewed, and seemed to be to be a serious player.  She responded promptly, and I believe she verified using work info since I had no references.  Donation requirements were within the range you stated.  Three days after I contacted her initially (responded to her TER ad post via e-mail), We met, and

The rest is history.  Just for perspective, I met with that very same lady again today, for the hundred somethingth time over the past six years.  We did lunch, with appetizers and dessert.  

It would be a very good idea if you upgraded to VIP ASAP...I found this to be invaluable as a newbie.  Also, you should look into membership with P411, Date Check, and the other reference services.  If you are able to satisfy screening requirements w/o utilizing these services as I was, great.  But it might be worth the minimal investment if you are serious about participating in the hobby, and wish to minimize the hassles.

Best of luck, man!