Lie group theory is used to obtain point symmetries of the boundary layer equations derived in the literature for the high Weissenberg number flow of upper convected Maxwell (UCM) and Phan-Tien-Tanner (PTT) type of viscoelastic fluids. The equations are reduced to ordinary differential equation systems with the use of scaling and spiral transformation groups. Similarity solutions are obtained and discussed for different cases such as flow around corners, flow over moving and stretching walls, and exponential shear flows. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.