A lot of threads discuss price.

There seems to be a lot variation, more so than in the escort world.

I've seen threads suggesting that $200 will get you a dinner date (not sure how many pops though), while others seem to spend up to $1,000.

I supposed geographical area and of course, age and looks factor heavily.

Then there are some gals that expect some serious $ just to meet and talk over dinner.

But there are some consistencies and correlations that I have noticed over the last couple of years where it comes to price. From what I have seen, whatever the going rate for an hour with a "well reviewed TER provider" will usually get you a multi hour date with a SB of similar caliber, sometimes as long as overnight.

 
I am assuming you are in the DC area because it's the only regional board on which I see you posting. In DC the "average" hooker rate for a lady of decent quality is in the $4-500 hr rate as far as I can tell. For that same $4-500 rate you should expect at least a three hour date with an SB and usually longer.  If you do commit to a weekly or perish the thought, a monthly commitment you should expect much better value than a third of hooker rates.

 
For the record, I would definitely advise AGAINST giving a SB anything even approaching a monthly allowance, or if you do, dole it out to her in smaller amounts during the month. SB's can be more flaky than even the flakiest of hookers and the last thing you want to do is "prepay" your SB for the month only to find out that all of a sudden she has become the busiest woman on the planet and can't break loose of all the important commitments she has to spend any time with you.

The regional variation in "normal" budgets is well documented.  For whatever it's worth, my own budget is the $200 ppm zone, and I have good success with that in my area.  I've noticed that the older SBs have greater needs, hence greater expectation$$ than the younger ones, which is just one more reason I tend to stick to the 18-23yo range.  College girls can easily compare these the risk/reward ratios:  A crappy minimum wage part time job that at best supplies a take  home pay of $15o-$200 per week, vs a fine time screwing an appreciative kind gentleman  for a few hours and taking home $200?  No brainer!  

As for flaking, it's just part of the game.  I just had one coffee date result in a NCNS this weekend.  There's always more fishies in the sea, even if some are too skittish to show up.  Don't worry about it too much.

And do be ever mindful of the mental gymnastics Gagambler talks about.  Sugar Babies, escorts, hookers, pros, whatever you call them, it's all sexwork of one sort or another to me.  I don't care about the definitions or labels, but some of the SBs care acutely.  So let them think whatever makes them comfortable.