A data point on doing the two app thing.
I applied a week ago for AA Amex and Visa using the 50K links on the first page of this thread (it has been over year since I closed my last Citi AA credit card.
Didn't get instant approval on either card. Called several times (apparently Labor Day weekend delayed things) and after calling separately on the two cards got approved for both with a total $30K credit line. The 50K bonus with 3K spend was confirmed by the rep without my asking.
Thanks FTers for helping me to add 100K AA miles to the many many you have helped me get earlier. ^