To your initial question, no the $99 plan will give you 250 pictures per month per camera for a year, regardless of what it does (or doesn't capture).
If you purchased the plan and then were charged 51 photos without receiving anything, it sounds you either got i) a busted camera or ii) they need to reset your account. As a rule I always test cameras at home before deploying to ensure I can address issues before I get out in the field (learned this the hard way a couple times).
There's a lot of folks that hate Spypoint cameras - I've had my fare share of issues as well, but let me give you my experience. Like almost everything in hunting, listen to others, but go experience it for yourself.
I've found a significant value in these cameras compared to others on the market. I run 12 on 4 properties and pay $100 per year total for 250 photos per/per camera. If I add 12 more cameras, I still pay $100 per year. 12 cameras on other plans would be $500-600 for a similar 250 photo plan for the year. The cost of the cameras aren't bad - 2 for $130 at academy right now and that includes memory cards.
Their customer service is garbage, but I've had decent results with the actual cameras if deployed appropriately (i.e. north facing, away from moving limbs, etc.). At $65 a camera, I don't mind leaving a couple on public property. Based on many folk's comments, I don't have to worry about anyone stealing them. : )
