I have seen many ads where the provider says that credit cards are accepted.  First, why leave a paper trail (Gov Spitzer got caught)? and second, why give your credit card info to a total stranger?  For all you know, she could rip you off and then run out with your CC info.  That would be hard to explain to the bank or SO. "You see Mr. Bank Manager (or SO), I gave my credit card info to the PYT for a massage but she had to go to the car for some, umm, oils and well, she never came back and ....". Or worse, she really sees you, you have a great time and then the CC bill comes but your SO sees this unusual charge or charges for multiple sessions. I say use cash but there is always the ATM trail for periodic withdrawals of $$$ or more - damn computers...

Funny as I was just thinking the same thing only about strip clubs.  I was in Vegas last weekend with a buddy and he fell in love with one of the strippers.  Of course it didn't take long for him to run out of cash so he got $1k out on his cc at the club.  They took $15 rake for every $100.  He's gonna have some explaining to do to the misses when that bill comes in...LOL.  Not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

Seriously though, go to an ATM and avoid any potential hassles

The main answer is pretty simple: to go out on credit when they don't have the cash to pay for it now. That applies the same way as using a credit card for anything else. They are designed to give the flexibility to pay for something over time.

Some guys probably also use credit cards when they have some form of expense account and are basically getting their employer to pay for their entertainment. I'm sure they employers wouldn't be too happy if they found out what they were actually paying for, but expense account abuse is nothing new.

I personally wouldn't use a credit card, for exactly the reasons you highlight, but not everyone thinks the same way, or has the same set of concerns. However, there is no need to be mad about it. Just don't do it yourself. You can't keep people from making mistakes they are hell-bent on ignoring advice to commit.

Maybe they are too lazy to go to ATM or wanted to have some bonus/cashback points on their credit card???LOL

JMO..

Spitzer got caught and the biggest problem he has is his wife. That hasn't stopped him from getting a new job and getting paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for speaking arrangements. Clinton got caught cheating and that hasn't stopped him. And these are high profile guys I imagine for the most of us if our name even appeared in a newspaper it'd be forgotten within 24 hours.

I went on a trip to have fun with a civie. I was not planning to see a provider.

The civie never showed up and I was horny late at night. I did not want to go out and withdrawal 600 in the middle of the night.

I called and used my hobby credit card that goes to my hobby mailbox.

I almost forget to shred the statement when I got home.

that charge $1000 hr or more. I wouldn't  carry that kind of cash on me, I don't like to anyway.
That would be the ONLY way I would use  a credit card. But who wants to spend that much? lol, J/K