Snapshots are images of the virtual hard disk at that point in time. The OS doesn't really matter. You could use an exported snapshot to restore your server to an earlier state by uploading it later, instantiate a virtual machine on your own development servers with it, analyze it with forensic tools beyond what's available in the rescue system, work on the downloaded disk image while the server is running, etc.
You can create as many snapshots as are included in your virtual server plan. If you delete one, it's available to be created again. Only exports of snapshots are limited to a small number and gone if used. If you want to export more, you can purchase more exports.
Online snapshots (taken while the VM is running) can't be exported and exporting offline snapshots is not free (just once as an appetizer, I guess). You can boot into the rescue system and use it to export an image of your VM hard disk for free, if you're so inclined. The disadvantage of doing it that way is that it keeps the server offline for as long as that takes, while using the snapshot function is quick and you can download the snapshot while the server is up running again.