I don't think it's a hassle at all punching in the 14 digits. The only annoying thing is that a lot of the time, the agents don't use the membership information that pops up on their screens and ask for your name again which would seems to defeat one of the purposes of the exercise. But, you're right, it's far better than staying on hold forever on the regular telephone number which I have had the misfortune of dialing when I don't have my membership card around.