I'm sure this question has come up before and I might be able to look around, but I somewhat know many of the posters on here and would like a current opinion.

...that I had a few POT SB's start mentioning this before I jumped off of SA about a month ago.  I'm wondering if word is getting around that is is a way to screen SD's??  Or maybe it could be a rouse to string a SD along with the promise of BCD and then off to the next person?  
I'm still courting one 21 yr old - who would only do some "dates" first (I'm paying only 80 per date to keep my cost down somewhat).  After about 4/5 of these dates we both agreed to do BCD at a hotel.  On the day of, she got a super bad migraine and couldn't go through with it.  We rescheduled for next time.  I think she is sincere, as I've gotten to know her a bit over the dates.  However, I still see her profile on SA when I log back in from time to time - so I'm wary that this is just a way for her to make some money without giving up the sugar.  I've now had enough of the meet up dates, as I don't have a lot of free time, so if we don't get to BCD in our next meeting, then I'm moving on when I get on SA again (and I've pretty much indicated that to her - she is still talking to me anyway).

I wouldn't do it.  

my money would be on her vanishing just prior to the planned BCD.  

I might splurge on a drink or even a meal (not at the most expensive restaurant) for the first meeting.  I think there is always a first meeting -- just to inspect the goods if nothing else.  The meal cost won't be much more than the time cost of taking the meeting in the first place.  But to pay them to meet the first time -- I can't see it.  I've had a few ask -- next.

Yeah, I know what you're saying...always been my rule.
But, she's so fucking hot..easily a 9/10 on the appearance scale.
And, she's too young for traditional drinks...I'll let drink out of my glass - lol
I'm thinking sometimes just abandon the rules and see where it goes!
OTOH, I don't have my entire life to be feeding her cash to make her horny.  HaHa

That's how I frame any M&G.  If she pushes back for cash, I'll go as far as covering gas and parking fees - maybe up to $40 in cash, and  of course I cover the food/drink for the meet . I'll tease it that if we click, we can follow up quickly, maybe even immediately, with more intimate time together and I'll be ready to help her with bills, shopping. etc.  
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That can often lead the pros or semi-pros to start negotiating for BCD time eight away and I'm happy to do that, but generally I will still insist that we have a public M&G before I fully agree to any real sugar. This M&G acts as a control function for me and it's particularly important if I haven't been able to verify her through reverse pic searches, social media, etc., or I'm not sure she looks/acts as described.

Beauty can be had for a price. Take the money you save on sexless dates and spend it on something high priced hottie who is willing.

I also gave her the mini lecture how paying for the promise of future sexual activity has been held to be a form of prostitution.  As distinguished from when you are already getting BBBJ and the rest, you are only paying for future meetings or to support her blah, blah.

They are lively dinner companions, fun to talk to, very good looking.  But no follow up activity, and they are very active on SA. So I think they have little or no real interest in any kind of intimate friendship. Or maybe they just weren't into me? Nah, that couldn't be it!

I won't give them any money before going BCD with them, just a first meal/drinks is all they get. Some rare times when we have been texting a lot and the SB looks genuine and is extremely hot then I may give them a small welcome gift just like you would on a real date, but that is extremely rare. No money for sure.

I've gone on numerous dinner M&G's, I have NEVER done anything more than covering the cost of the meal unless we were naked immediately following.  I think the problem comes from too many guys thinking that SA is the new BP and approaching the girls with that mentality. Then there are the guys who are so damn lonely they'd fork over the 401K for the opportunity to be seen with a 9-10  chick.  

Actually a couple of rules,  

Strikes me that it is more appropriate to say that I am paying my SB, not the hooker, for "time and companionship", as well as the required sex.  

When they ask this, I respond with, “No, I’m not comfortable with that, because it’s what hookers do. The main difference between a hooker and a sugar baby is that the hooker just wants money for her time and it can be with any old nasty guy, while the sugar baby is all about getting spoiled by a guy she would fuck anyways.  If you just want to be a hooker, I’ll introduce you to some good pimps and you’ll make much more than you will on SA.  If you want to be my sugar baby, we should meet up and see if we’re attracted to each other. Dinner will be nice and it’ll be my treat. “

I don’t pay for first dates unless we end up BCD. When I get the “and how much will you gift me for meeting” question, I tell the GaGa will revoke my man card if I did that. Lol

A M&G is an interview.  I’ve only bought coffee on this.  One time a girl asked for gas money, I gave her 20.  We had a 3 or 4 date experience.  She became BSC wanting more and more than the agreed amount.  She was dirty as fuck.  The kinda girl you’d never let mama meet, (when you were young and taking them home to meet your mother).  
Lesson learned.  I buy them a drink or we just go straight to BCD.  No money for Just meeting and eating.  

John here. Very different with guys who 'refuse' to play here thinking there is something wrong with it, than with a true SD. Now I have played in this arena, and that's all it amounts too after being invited to several drink dates and dinner dates for our first introduction. They are more comfortable that way as it seems "ok" to them and there's nothing wrong with it while they are checking you out lol wondering if they want to move forward or not with you. And most, are extremely respectful in that they understand to compensate you for taking time out to meet with them, truly nothing more. At least that's my take on it. Now, I'm older, so guys who seek me out are older too not looking for the 20yo. And again, 20yo's and 40+yos think very differently, especially in this game. For some of us it's about survival of the fittest vs buying those loub's and matching bag. And for him, it's an escape, and it begins with a mindset in what makes him most comfortable, nothing more.

Most of my POT SBs are at least an hour away and I always have them come to me (not driving an hour to get stood up at last minute), so I will agree to give them "gas money" should we decide not to extend the date and begin the SD/SB relationship.