Data Point 3rd card
Card #1 (35k, no AF) = 3/20/13 Instant
Card #2 (35k, no AF) = 8/11/13 Instant (lowered credit limit to the minimum $5k sometime in jan 2014)
Card #1 Cancelled = 3/15/14
Card #3 (40k, AF) = 3/18/14 Instant
The key is low recent inquiries and not too much credit with them (lower it via sm if too much) according to my observations here and experience with a few other people's accounts.
If you don't get instant approval on anything but card #1, recon seems futile.