Scene 1
Here is a generalized tip - if you ask a MP if they offer a 60 or 90 minutes massage and a (RMT) receipt for insurance and the answer is Yes, chances are that they are legit or at least capable of providing a real massage. The cost (for massage only) may vary considerably, but should be in the range of just under a dollar a minute to around 1.50 a minute (based on skills/experience and the surroundings), higher if you go to a hotel spa known for true luxury - not the crappy places without even a decent shower pretending to be a spa. Beware the pretenders with little massage experience but a lot of talk who try to charge on the high end of the scale and get away with clients who are also new to the scene.
Scene 2
On the recreational massage side, in Calgary they charge 40 or 50 just for a half hour room rental fee; a full hour is 80 or more (saw 60 recently in one place - for happy hour at 9 am or at 5 pm). Note - this is a room rental fee - generally speaking massage skills will be low to non existent - it's the exceptions that I keep looking for. Everything else is discussed and negotiated between client and masseuse - and in this city, this is where there is no objectivity and no baseline cost structure - it's a free for all (if you wear expensive shoes or threads, your price just went up; if you think only with your DXXX and you failed to discuss price while your pants were still on, good luck to you). Also beware of booking more than half hour as it will probably be a waste since the masseuse will be thinking of the extra tip she could be making with the next client, so your time will be cut short anyway and you have wasted your extra room fee. Scene2 Take 2 The exception to this would be at a place where basic service is included in the door fee with assurance that you get your full time.
in Scene 2 situations - to repeat STUD's advice - never ever provide personal information even if they offer RMT receipts
In other cities, there are combinations of both scenarios plus usually a thriving group of independent therapists which allows for a lot more selection and choices (real massage plus sensuality) and some form of a rate structure for guidance (you can always tip more if you want) - example in Montreal 2010 rates-
IN STUDIO One Hour massage = 50 plus tips 20HJ/40toplessHJ/60NHJ/80Thai Body Slide including Happy Ending (*HJ/FJ/Russian/whatever); Only some studios offer more services tripping into the SP zone but providing poorer massage services.
INDEPENDENTS(at their apt/home) One Hour massage = 45 to 65 including HJ - tips not necessary but welcome (20); or One Hour Thai Body Slide with HE (*) and lots of creative play = 80 to 120 total fee; Rare for independent MPs to get into the SP zone - exceptions are strictly YMMV experiences.
To overcome Bigderrick's feelings about MP service ("In my opinion the mp's in calgary suck!!!!!!!"), and to really enjoy the MP experience, one should take a week off and travel to another city - Yeah, we're talking elsewhere in Canada like Vancouver or Montreal, no need for out of country travel!
Finally - this post is not meant to offend any hard working masseuse in Calgary who offers great overall VFM - more power to you and may everyone discover you. The gems, both discovered and to be discovered are why some of us never quit.