I've just noticed fare and rule changes today. Typically, the very cheap Y fares between SIN and MEL were all FLEX. Now they've changed to SAVER and my guess is that this is a permanent change.

Makes sense. No need for EK to continue to promote these fares at the FLEX rate when their competition (ie SQ and QF) don't even allow for mileage or status credit on some of their low fares.