Everquest 2 offers both a free 2 play model and various subscription models at least in that respect its similar to second life. Since eq2 is the only other mmorpg I play I'm not really sure about the payment models of any of any others. Everquest 2 doesn't lock your account when you fail to pay and demand a payment, they simply switch you over to free 2 play mode and you lose you levels and other perks you would otherwise have until you resubscribe.
EQ2 also gives you other options besides reoccurring payments and if you want to switch you can do so ahead of time without losing those benefits until your time is over with. Try doing that with the second life. In order to even cancel your account so you wont have reoccurring charges you have to give up your land and stipend...even if you have 9 or 10 months left to go ! That really doesn't seem ethical to me, name another game that takes away benefits you paid for even when you have months of playtime left?
Linden labs basically does everything they can to keep you stuck in that reoccurring payment cycle. They "punish" you for canceling the reoccurring payments ahead of time. They make it difficult to find the cancellation button, and they only send you a weeks notice prior to the next billing cycle. It really wouldn't kill them to add a non-reoccurring payment option. But its not in their benefit to do so.