Just "discovered" aux tracks / patch points recently.  (Had to reinstall Sonar on a new computer and re-examine basically everything in my setup).  So far, I like the idea of being able to easily record a quick project mix to an aux audio track (i.e. w/o having to export and go listen to it outside the Sonar project). 

I'm using the aux tracks as the "ultimate buss" too.
 
Dry and effected instruments processed independently on the buss side then bring everything back together in an aux track.  One aux track per instrument usually.
 
I love the aux track features and I'm still figuring out how to best use them with track templates.

I can not control sends to AUX from control surfaces, "no go" for me (where is one bug, there can be other... I do not want troubles).

I use Aux Tracks in literally every project.   Mostly they're for group busing because I like the visual aspect of having everything in one area in both the Track View and Console View, and within Folders in the TV.  I still use Buses, but mostly for Aux Sends that span across instruments.
 
Patch Points I use less often, but I still find them useful for "mult-ing" or when I have some weird idea that requires something outside the strict one track > one bus paradigm.
 
For me, Aux Tracks and PPs are among the best SONAR developments in years.  
 

The way I understand it, If you're using Aux tracks, then you're using Patch points.  When you make an aux track it works by creating a patch point for you.....  still exploring this very cool Sonar feature.

I use Aux tracks exactly as you describe, within a track folder, mainly with multi-out drum vsts like AD2 and Superior Drummer. I find it a lot more convenient to have my subgroups right there instead of  in the buss section.

I guess I'm just the opposite: I'd rather move the clutter from the tracks area down into the bus pane, which I keep hidden during much of the mixing process. That's why I'm reading this thread, in hopes of gleaning some compelling reason to use aux tracks or patch points.
 
The best justification I've identified so far: combining multi-instrument ensembles such as drum kits and orchestral string sections into an aux track. Kick, snare, overheads, etc. become one instrument, "drums". Violins, Violas and Celli become "strings". A bus can do that, of course, but what the aux track does for you is position the combined meta-instrument up in the track pane where it belongs during mixing, rather than down in the bus pane far from the action.
 
You can also use aux tracks and patch points as a way to bounce a reverb return or to freeze other high-CPU or high-latency effects. That would have been a great help two CPUs ago but nowadays it's more trouble than it's worth.
 
 

patch points were a godsend for my workflow. i use nebula and aqua plugs a lot on a less-than-ideal system. i, for one, was very happy when cakewalk introduced patch points in sonar platinum. never looked back...

I am exactly where you are BITFLIPPER - hence the reason for starting the thread

I am exactly 50/50 torn between the potential convenience of having an AUX track at the top of a track folder to act as a bus - against - reducing the clutter within the tracks and pushing it to the busses

It has been really interesting hearing different views so I will give it a try working using AUX tracks within folders

I guess the beauty of SONAR is that I can quickly load an existing "track template" - remove the "minor busses", replace them with AUX tracks within the track folder and then so a SAVE AS on my "track template" - enabling me to load up either option with a few clicks

SONAR has always really suited my workflow and this is just another example of how convenient it is to use!!!!!

SWANG
patch points were a godsend for my workflow. i use nebula and aqua plugs a lot on a less-than-ideal system. i, for one, was very happy when cakewalk introduced patch points in sonar platinum. never looked back...

Hi Swang
I've been dabbling on and off with the Aqua plugs (freebies such as Tan, Ochre) to check stability etc. Eventually I intend to demo and potentially purchase Amethyst and Gold. When and if you have the time, I would be interested in how you use patch points relative to using Aqua plugs.
Thanks
Greg