EK has done op ups based on fare bucket for about a year now ex DXB. Outstations don't always follow the same rules (still had plenty of op ups ex BKK even on Y savers). From a business point of view it may make sense, but as I'm flying exclusively cheapest Y for business, it annoys the hell out of me too. That, plus the ridiculous high fares ex DXB made me shift most of my leisure flights (often in J) to Qatar this year.