At least at BofA, when submitting an application for revolving credit, personal bankers have the opportunity to request "special considerations" for card approval. These are then forwarded to higher ranking credit analysts who will call customer directly to discuss terms/approvals/line amounts.

Like someone up thread mentioned, many card companies are separately managed but wholly owned subsidiaries (BofA uses FIA card services and legacy MBNA) of the parent company. Again, relationships can help or hurt you...